Polished Portland pays a call to PPL Park and the Union

CHESTER — Few teams have differentiated themselves, ideologically and in the MLS standings, as much as Portland this season.

In their first two seasons, the Timbers were known mostly for their rabid fan base in the soccer-mad Pacific Northwest. This season, they’ve become a polished product on the pitch, thanks in large part to the guiding hand of manager Caleb Porter.

The man who orchestrated Akron’s ascent to elite status in the NCAA, Porter has brought his high-pressure, possession-oriented attack to bear on MLS. The result has vaulted Portland (8-2-9, 33 points) to second in the Western Conference table.

It presents a unique challenge for the Union (8-6-6, 30 points) to contend with tonight at PPL Park (7:30, TCN).

“The best thing they’ve done is they haven’t lost a lot of games, and you pile up those points and getting draws and wins and it’s impressive,” said Union manager John Hackworth Wednesday at his weekly press conference. “But they certainly have a good style. They press you very hard. Once they get the ball moving, they’re a really good team with possession. I think they’re one of the top teams right now, and they deserve the credit that they’re getting.”

Hackworth sees distinct similarities between the style of play espoused by the Timbers and that of Real Salt Lake, the Western Conference leaders who the Union by-and-large outplayed two weeks ago before settling for a 2-2 draw.

But also evident is that the styles will be similar Saturday. The Union have shown a tendency to impose their will on opposing teams at home, trying to dominate possession and control the flow of the game. That’s the m.o. for the Timbers as well, and the advantage today is likely to go to whichever team can make it more uncomfortable for its opponent.

“I do think it will be a clash of similar styles, and I think we’re going to have to do our best to disrupt their game,” said Hackworth, who is suspended today after being dismissed from last week’s game against Chivas. “I think the team that makes it harder on the day for their opponent is going to be the team that’s successful.”

“You look at their record, you look at some of the results they’ve gotten and that automatically means you have to have that general understanding of having to play faster, play crisper, play smarter on both sides of the ball,” Union captain Brian Carroll said. “You just have to be aware of what their strengths are and their tendencies and take advantage of the little things that they do give up like every team does.”

Perhaps the biggest challenge is that the Timbers have so many weapons in the arsenal. They have five players who’ve scored at least four goals this season, but none have more than six. Likely returning is all-star Will Johnson, who had been on international duty with Canada at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Still at the Gold Cup, however, is Costa Rican midfielder Rodney Wallace.

That still leaves plenty of options, including winger Diego Valeri and box-to-box midfielder Diego Chara. And then there’s the focal point of the attack, playmaker Darlington Nagbe, Porter’s prized pupil with the Zips and the second overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft.

“I think the continuity that he has with Valeri, with Will Johnson with some of their other attacking players brings out the best in him,” said Carroll, who will likely have the primary responsibility of negating Nagbe. “Obviously his pace, his skill and his attacking mindset has improved year in and year out in the league. It’s something I have to be aware of, but our entire team — our outside mids and our center back — (have to) as far as trying to contain him and limit his opportunities, both receiving the ball and when he gets it.”

The Union boast a midfield regaining its health. After coming through injuries last week, Michael Farfan and Danny Cruz had uneventful weeks on the injury front, a rarity this season. Kleberson (quad) could be available for selection, bolstering a squad that also gets Jack McInerney back early from international duty.

•Union goalkeeper Zac MacMath was hit with an undisclosed fine by MLS for violating its “hands to the face/head of an opponent” policy against Chivas.

Replays showed that in the 35th minute, MacMath made several swipes at the head of defender Walter Vilchez as he was trying to restart play after a corner kick. In upholding the general standard of MLS refereeing, Vilchez was shown a yellow card for impeding MacMath on the play.

Chivas was fined $5,000, and coach Jose Luis Real another $1,000, for violating its policy on “mass confrontation” when they bombarded ref Jorge Gonzalez in protest of an indirect free kick in the box. Defender Josue Soto was shown a second yellow card for contacting Gonzalez on the play.

MLS released a statement that the call, given for what was termed an “intentional back pass,” was incorrect. Michael Farfan scored off the kick from seven yards out for what was the game-winner in a 3-1 Union triumph.